Baker: Strike up the bland?

Manager planning to stay mum on controversial issues

February 20, 2006|BY PAUL SULLIVAN.

MESA, Ariz. — Dusty Baker is hoping for a drama-free season in 2006, which would be a big departure from his first three years in Chicago.

Whether he was inventing phrases like "steroid McCarthyism," presenting theories on how minorities handle the heat, or revealing that he sprinkles holy water on his players, Baker often found himself involved in a controversy.

"It hasn't gotten me anywhere," he said, laughing. "The last couple of years have been full of drama, which I'm not used to."

Now Baker promises to be as bland as past Cubs managers, keeping his opinion to himself on subjects that may create some heat.

Is Baker any different than he was in San Francisco, or does Chicago just react differently to his remarks?

"Everywhere is different," he said. "And sometimes you become a little different, or you're the same and it appears different. I just want to win, that's No. 1. And I'll just choose different forums (at which to give his opinions). I haven't changed. I'm not going to change."

Young at heart

Outfielder Marquis Grissom, who will turn 39 in April, is a good bet to make the team as a bench player despite a .212 average in 44 games in San Francisco last year. He was released in August after suffering through hamstring injuries.

Offered a minor-league invitation with an $800,000 salary if he makes the team, Grissom said he's far from finished.

"I've got plenty left," he said. "If I couldn't play, if my hamstring injury wouldn't allow me to be the best player I could be, or I wasn't able to go at it full throttle, then, yeah, I'd be at home. But I think last year I was able to play a little bit more, but the Giants had other plans, to go with younger people.

"All I can do is get myself ready to play. When it's time [to retire], I think I'll know. I won't be one of those players out there running on one leg, wounded and looking bad. I embarrassed myself enough back in Atlanta and Cleveland (in the mid-'90s). . . . I ended up doing the same thing in L.A. a little bit. But when I went to San Francisco, I kind of realized I can't be a superman, a superhero. When it's time to slow it down, I'll slow it down."